Bombers blitz

Who wanted it most would win.

Kyabram put its hand up – and high.

To the extent of kicking 8.1 to Rochester’s 0.1.

What was looming as a tight finish in a tight game was exploded by an avalanche of Kyabram goals in arguably its best performance for the season against a quality side.

In fact, at the final siren, it was hard to believe the top side had monstered the second team by what was a ridiculous margin.

But the facts can’t be disputed.

The transformation from battler to blitzer had the Goulburn Valley footy world buzzing by the time the final siren had sounded to end Rochester’s misery.

The main reason for the win was simple — the Bombers wanted it more.

Supporters got that and a bit more in a last-quarter onslaught no-one saw coming.

Kyabram’s much-touted engine room led by ruckmen Zac Norris and Aidan Robinson got right on top and its running players and on-ballers Mick Mattingly, Jack Russell, Kaine Herbert, Josh Dillon and young gun Archie Watt tore Rochester to pieces.

Up forward Riley Ironside and Tom Holman took over and the Kyabram scoreline looked after itself.

Mattingly and Ironside, with five goals, were prominent all game along with defenders Brad Whitford, Jack Parkinson and Jason Morgan in particular.

Holman got back his marking game and provided a reliable aerial target which netted him three goals and hand in a couple others. And a key target in attack.

Norris dominated the game when it was needed with clearing hit-outs and quick kicks from the stoppages ensuring Kyabram went forward consistently.

The Kyabram Kids in Bohden Learmonth, Watt, Oscar Dixon, Charlie Isaac, Charlie Barnett and Adam Pulsoni stood up when it was needed which was also a big plus in the Bombers’ performance.

For Rochester Hugh Hamilton with four goals, Dylan Gordon, Hamish Hooppell, Ryan O'Keefe and Bailey Wileman battled bravely.

Even co-coach of the Bombers Corey Carver agreed it was his team’s best win for the season.

‘‘I was happy with our intensity and tackling for the entire game,’’ Carver said.

Carver also acknowledged it was going to be extremely competitive for spots in the side in the countdown to finals.

He listed Liam Ogden, Coby McCarthy, Tom Burnett, Nic Jephson, Angus Scoble and Cooper Fawcett as players who missed the Rochester game who will be making bids to earn selection in the run to finals.

He said Scoble and Fawcett should be available for this Saturday‘s trip to Seymour, a side which needs a win to stay in the finals race.

My best for Kyabram were Mick Mattingly, Brad Whitford, Zac Norris, Riley Ironside, Jack Russell, Jake Parkinson, Kaine Herbert and Tom Holman (in an even team).

· Kyabram reserves learnt a good lesson in their first loss for the season.

And that is the game isn’t over until the final siren sounds.

After being jumped early by Rochester which kicked the first four goals, Kyabram clawed its way back into the game and hit the front in the last term.

But it then eased its intensity slightly and allowed Rochester to fight back to regain the lead —and a three-point win.

The Bombers were below top strength, but found the Tigers too slick early.

Skipper Ayden Fitzgerald, Miller Griffiths and Sam Vick in particular led the Kyabram comeback and Stephen Drake, Ben Railton and Shaun Doolan also stood out at times.

The Bombers have another tough assignment this Saturday against third-placed Seymour which trounced another finals candidate Echuca on Saturday.

· Kyabram thirds were impressive in disposing of Rochester in frosty and foggy conditions with a good brand of footy.

The young Bombers handled the ball with surety in a runaway 64-point win with nearly every player contributing.

Lachy Carver was the star in the win with the skilful midfielder hurting the home side when drifting into attack with five goals.

Jack Donaldson also turned in a dashing game in defence and was well supported by Oscar Carver at full-back and Nathan Kuiper on a flank.

Josh Francis was dominant in the midfield along with Tyler Norman who was making his first appearance for 10 weeks and was quick to exhibit his skilful qualities.

Hunter Fawcett also provided a reliable target in attack at centre half-forward.

Co-coach Peter Ryan was pleased with how his young charges handled the tricky conditions and said they were making pleasing improvement each week.

‘‘We shared the ball well today and kept the intensity up all game which was good.’’

The young Bombers won’t get any rest this Saturday when they take on Seymour which upset last year’s premier Echuca last Saturday.

· Kyabram’s under-16 side dug deep to hold out Echuca in their clash at Kyabram on Sunday.

The Bombers took a handy lead into the last quarter after a dominant second quarter, but were seriously challenged in the closing stages of the game, but fended off their rivals to win by eight points.

Midfielders Max Stockdale and Charlie Wilson were everywhere for the Bombers along with Archie Backway, while defenders Anthony Depasquale and Kade Drew stood up to the pressure.

Talented Charlie Pekin with five goals and Sam Bruhn with three were the most productive Kyabram forwards on the day.

· Kyabram’s under-14 team also made it three wins from three games, beating Mooroopna by 14 points in a low-scoring duel.

Riley Nicholson provided the game highlight with a dashing game in defence described by his coach Brenton Sheppard ‘‘as good as any game I’ve seen for a junior player for a long time’’.

‘‘He must have taken 20 marks,’’ Sheppard said.

Nicholson was well supported by co defender Jack Halstead, while other prime movers were midfielders Rhys Parsons and Xavier Dodos.

Regan Scoble and Cooper Fisher also did a lot of telling work for the Bombers in the well deserved win.